Debt Collectors Troll Facebook To Get Paid

MSNBC.COM - Bill collectors have upped their game. They've added social media to their arsenal of tools. That's right, they're on Facebook, too!

"Normally, collectors use social media to locate people or see if there are any assets that might be collectable," notes Joel Winston with the Federal Trade Commission. "But we have received a few complaints about collectors who are using social media to either impersonate the person's friends or otherwise use it for harassment."

For debt collectors who don't want to play by the rules, social media can be a powerful way to badger someone. They can post messages that let the world know you owe a debt — a clear violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Florida attorney Billy Howard, head of the consumer protection department at the law firm of Morgan & Morgan, calls social media "a dangerous weapon" that some debt collectors use to deliberately harass people.

"They're using Facebook because it adds that extra shock value. The more shocking, the more harassing, the more outrageous, the more these debt collectors get paid," Howard says. "What makes it so dangerous is you can contact somebody's family and friends very quickly and very easily, and you can set off a domino effect of panic that can be devastating."

That's what Melanie Beacham of Tampa, Fla., said happened to her. Beacham fell behind in her car payments by $362. To collect the debt, MarkOne Financial called and called. They also sent e-mail and text messages.

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to warn you about a grizzly bear that's been roaming around the Athol and Garwood area. Multiple people have reported seeing it, and wildlife officers have set up a trap to catch it, but so far they've been having trouble finding it. KHQ spoke with one woman who says the bear walked through her yard.

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to warn you about a grizzly bear that's been roaming around the Athol and Garwood area. Multiple people have reported seeing it, and wildlife officers have set up a trap to catch it, but so far they've been having trouble finding it. KHQ spoke with one woman who says the bear walked through her yard.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say eight people were killed in a crash involving two vehicles in the high desert of eastern Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the head-on collision happened after 10 a.m. Monday on Oregon Route 78 southeast of the small town of Burns. Oregon State Police Capt.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say eight people were killed in a crash involving two vehicles in the high desert of eastern Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the head-on collision happened after 10 a.m. Monday on Oregon Route 78 southeast of the small town of Burns. Oregon State Police Capt.

I'm more of a dog person, but if there is a place that is willing to pay me to live on an island in Greece and take care of cats, I'll become a feline fanatic. Well, there is someone offering such a job right now and they claim it's a real opening. God's Little People Cat Rescue posted on Facebook that they are looking for someone who can look after 55 cats on a little Greek island paradise called Syros.

I'm more of a dog person, but if there is a place that is willing to pay me to live on an island in Greece and take care of cats, I'll become a feline fanatic. Well, there is someone offering such a job right now and they claim it's a real opening. God's Little People Cat Rescue posted on Facebook that they are looking for someone who can look after 55 cats on a little Greek island paradise called Syros.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash.- A flag football league in Spokane Valley is preparing for their first practice next week but organizers say they can't help but feel disappointed because someone suddenly vandalized the fields they have put so much work into. "We're pretty disappointed, a little beat up," said Jeff Miller, the Director for Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash.- A flag football league in Spokane Valley is preparing for their first practice next week but organizers say they can't help but feel disappointed because someone suddenly vandalized the fields they have put so much work into. "We're pretty disappointed, a little beat up," said Jeff Miller, the Director for Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading.

MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. - Officials say the Silver Lake Fire west of Spokane is now 20 percent contained and about 100 acres in size. Level 2 evacuation notices remain in place for Granite Lake South Road to Salnave Road in Cheney. Crews have a line around the fire and will continue to strengthen it throughout the day and into the nighttime hours.

MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. - Officials say the Silver Lake Fire west of Spokane is now 20 percent contained and about 100 acres in size. Level 2 evacuation notices remain in place for Granite Lake South Road to Salnave Road in Cheney. Crews have a line around the fire and will continue to strengthen it throughout the day and into the nighttime hours.

PINEVILLE, N.C. - A pregnant woman shopping at Staples says she was confronted about what she was concealing beneath her shirt: "Twins," she said. Sherell Bates tells WSOC-TV she was at the register paying for back-to-school supplies Friday when a police officer had her step aside and explain what was under her shirt.

PINEVILLE, N.C. - A pregnant woman shopping at Staples says she was confronted about what she was concealing beneath her shirt: "Twins," she said. Sherell Bates tells WSOC-TV she was at the register paying for back-to-school supplies Friday when a police officer had her step aside and explain what was under her shirt.